Project Leadership
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Lead Organization)
Dr. Waleed Farag, Program Director
Director, Institute for Cybersecurity | Indiana University of Pennslvania
Waleed Farag is a full professor of Computer Science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Director of the IUP’s Institute for Cybersecurity. Dr. Farag has secured more than $10M of federal funds to support his research and is currently the PI of several major federally funded grants. His work on these funded projects has led to the establishment of unique programs and initiatives that contribute to the enhancement of cybersecurity research and education across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond. His work was awarded Best Paper in ACM SIGITE’2012 and other conferences. ​Dr. Farag can be reached at farag@iup.edu.
Lydia Taylor, Project Manager
PA Community College Consortium Cooperative Agreement | IUP Research Institute
Lydia Taylor has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has worked on several federally funded grants under the leadership of Dr. Farag. Prior to joining the PC4A Team, she was Director of Career Services and Algebra Instructor for a local technical college. In her role as Project Manager, Ms. Taylor is responsible for project reporting, data analysis and management, marketing, website design, and event planning. ​Ms. Taylor can be reached at ltaylor@iup.edu
Bucks County Community College
Paul Toro Proces, Co-PI
Professor of Computer Science | Bucks County Community College
Professor Toro Proces holds a Master’s in Library & Information Science. He had a previous career as a library technologist with experience in web design and backend administration. He has worked deeply with issues of accessibility, universal design, and technology and has published research in this area. He has been teaching computer science and networking courses since 2015. Paul serves as the computer science coordinator with a focus on process, curriculum, and analysis in service to students. Contact Mr. Toro Proces can at paul.proces@bucks.edu.
Butler County Community College
Sherri Mack, Co-PI
Dean of Business | Butler County Community College
Sherri Mack, Dean of the Business and Information Technology Division, has been a faculty member at Butler County Community College for over 25 years and dean for four. She has a Master’s degree in Information Technology as well as a Master’s in Business Administration. She’s taught various computer science, computer programming, and website development courses. Her passion is to educate the next generation of computer professionals to create a more secure computer industry. Mrs. Mack can be reached at sherri.mack@bc3.edu.
Montgomery County Community College
James Bretz, Co-PI
Dean of STEM | Montgomery County Community College
Dr. James Bretz has served as Dean of STEM at Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) since January 2017. As Dean of STEM, he oversees a diverse offering of programs in math, science and applied technologies, including ten programs in computer and information sciences. In addition, in 2020 Dr. Bretz led MCCC’s Business and Entrepreneurial Initiatives Division as Interim Dean. Dr. Bretz started in 2009 at the college’s Pottstown Campus, where he served as Science Coordinator and Assistant Professor, teaching microbiology and biology. Dr. Bretz earned his Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Maryland and his B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Penn State University. Dr. Bretz can be reached at jbretz@mc3.edu
Northampton Community College
Celisa Counterman, Co-PI
Professor of Mathematics | Northampton Community College
Dr. Celisa Counterman is a tenured mathematics professor at Northampton Community College (NCC). Her educational background includes computer science, higher education, online learning, mathematics, data science, and developmental education. Dr. Counterman has served as the co-PI on several grants at NCC including those focused on universal design and high school STEM scholars. She has several articles published on working with adjuncts and course redesign. ​Dr. Counterman can be reached at ccounterman@northampton.edu.
Guy Patra, Co-PI
Assistant Professor of Biology | Northampton Community College
Guy Patra, Assistant Professor of Biology at Northampton Community College. Dr. Patra earned a Master in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the University of Paris, and a certificate in Project Management from Lehigh University. He is a published author and researcher, and has over a decade of experience in microbiological rapid detection and molecular typing. ​Dr. Patra can be reached at gpatra@northampton.edu.
Penn Highlands Community College
Greg Paonessa, Co-PI
Instructor of Computer Technology | Penn Highlands Community College
Greg Paonessa is a seasoned software engineer who has transitioned his focus to making an impact in the education sector. With a wealth of experience in computer technology, Greg is now dedicated to teaching and empowering the next generation of tech enthusiasts. As a passionate educator, he shares his expertise in various programming languages, software development, and project management with students, fostering a strong foundation in the world of technology. Greg's commitment to staying updated on the latest advancements in the field ensures that his teaching remains cutting-edge and relevant. With his unique blend of technical expertise and teaching skills, Greg is shaping the future of computer technology by inspiring and guiding ambitious students. ​Mr. Paonessa can be reached at gpaonessa@pennhighlands.edu
Westmoreland County Community College
Mr. Michael Caglia, Co-PI
Associate Professor | Westmoreland County Community College
Michael Caglia is an Associate Professor at Westmoreland County Community College located is southwestern Pennsylvania. He has been teaching computer technology focusing on networking, cybersecurity, and computer hardware. He has a master’s degree in computer information systems and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science. Recently, through opportunities from the PC4A grant, he has passed the CompTIA Security+ and EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker certifications. Before teaching he worked for several service companies doing network support and installation, PC support and troubleshooting, and end user support in the local Pittsburgh area. Mr. Caglia can be reached at cagliam@westmoreland.edu
Ms. Christie Sever, Key Personnel
Associate Professor | Westmoreland County Community College
Ms. Sever has been with Westmoreland County Community College since the fall of 2012. She has a BS in Information Science with a Computer Science minor from the University of Pittsburgh, and a MS in Information Technology from Southern New Hampshire University. She teaches a wide range of courses from introductory to capstone level in technology and programming, and recently stepped into the world of cyber security by teaching introductory courses in the discipline. In her free time, Christie enjoys spending time outdoors with her two daughters, especially in summer where she can almost always be found swimming or boating at her summer camp on the Allegheny River. ​Ms. Sever can be reached at severc@westmoreland.edu